How Much Does It Cost to Add a Swim-Up Bar

 Transform your plain space into a backyard oasis by embracing your unique pool design. From the shape of the pool to the features it has, everything is customizable when you approach your pool area with the idea of visualizing a dream.

What Are Swim Up Bars?

Swim-up bars are often created in two parts: they have a wet side and a dry side. The wet side of the pool bar has as many chairs submerged in the water as the owner wants and allows swimmers to stay partially submerged and cooled off while they sip a drink. The dry side is a walk-up bar just like any other. These bars are typically constructed on the shallow side of the inground pool or in spas and hot tubs.

As far as features go, you can have as much or as little as you like! A resort-style feature setup could be just what you're looking for, with seating on the dry side, a television in the area, and more! You can add an entire outdoor kitchen with a refrigerator and barbeque grill. A wonderful reason for incorporating a swim-up bar into your backyard space is that it can be anything you want it to be.

Advantages of Pool Bars

Perfect for Entertaining Guests

It's likely that every guest you have will want/be allowed to have alcohol, but swim-up bars aren't just for legally drinking adults. It's a great feature for serving guests in general. Kids can enjoy swimming up for non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, and you can cook while keeping an eye on them. It's always a good spot for conversation, even if you're not serving anything at all!

Saves patio space

This might not be your first thought when we talk about adding a feature, but it works because you're combining an outdoor kitchen with a dining space and a bar. It's a three-in-one! Instead of constantly moving, hiding, or rearranging your grill, for example, it can have a permanent home in the swim-up bar! It will look intentional and be somewhere that allows for a comfortable grilling experience.

Convenient for Serving Meals and Drinks

Instead of hosting a bunch of dripping people inside your home, serve food and drinks out in the sun, where water is only a perk. You don't have to dry off if you don't want to, and your home stays out of the equation. You can host entire meals or events in the pool area without ever opening up your home to visitors (with the possible exception of using the bathroom). The point is, you can do as much or as little with a swim-up bar that you choose. Having one means that everything is on your terms.

Enhances the Relaxing Atmosphere

The entertainment area you create can be any vibe you want, but there's no doubt that swim-up bars elevate the scene and increase the amount of relaxation. This feature really ties the whole thing together to develop a feeling of cohesion and security, which allows people to fully unwind. Even if it's just you, the sound of water softly lapping against the bar and the gentle lighting can easily lull you into a mindset of peace.

Tips to Consider When Adding a Swim-up Bar

Diving into anything except water headfirst is always a little risky. That's why it's important to understand what you're getting yourself into before taking the plunge. With that in mind, here are some things to think about when considering a swim-up bar as an addition to your pool:

Consider the Project Scale and Budget

Before any plans are made, consider what your space and funds look like. If you don't have those two things figured out, you won't get very far in the planning stage. With these parameters in place, you can be realistic and begin to prioritize. Some swim-up bars can cost several thousand. It's all a matter of what you have and what you can get for it.

Select Pool Bar Style

You don't want the pool bar to steal the show, but you do want it to compliment the pool and the surroundings. If you choose a style with intentionality, it helps put a limit on the endless options and create a manageable list that you can sift through.

What scene are you trying to paint in your backyard? If you go with a Tiki Bar with a thatched roof, you will have a very tropical feel on your hands. A simple, sharply-cornered bar will appeal to a more modern look. Whatever you go for, a swim-up bar will take your vibe to a new and impressive level.

Consider Your Climate

Shade is almost always desirable as an optional retreat from the sun. You can choose budget-friendly options like large shade umbrellas or pick something a little more permanent, like a wood ramanda. If you live in a really hot area, a mister or a fan system could very well be worthwhile to you. Conversely, if you live in a milder climate, you could want to extend the season of use for your pool by installing something to stay warm in the autumn and spring. A propane patio heater could even keep the bar comfortable in the cold winter if you pick the right one!

Choose Stylish Bar Stools and Bar-Top Décor

After putting in all the effort to choose a style and install a swim-up bar, you won't want to ignore the decorations and furniture. Coordinate the barstools and countertop with the surrounding patio furniture colors, style, and material if possible. If it's not possible to get the same material, lean on style to guide your purchases. You can always tie everything together with a few choice throw pillows and some wind chimes.

How Much Does a Swim-up Bar Cost?

You can buy removable poolside bars for around $500, but for the beautiful, permanent additions we're talking about here, you're going to spend some thousands of dollars. It all depends on your individual project. Some materials cost more than others. Size will impact the price tag a lot. There are a million factors that make a swim-up bar more or less expensive.

Can You Add Pool Bars to Existing Swimming Pools?

You can! The idea is to seamlessly integrate a swim-up bar with your existing swimming pool. In many cases, this means using the same materials as your pool to make it look like everything was created at once.

When you consider adding to your current pool, remember to think about your space. Inground pools are incredible on their own, and adding a swim-up bar is a great way to deepen that experience, but you don't want to cramp your style if you will. Make sure there's plenty of room to work with so that your experience with a swim-up pool is 100% positive.

If you have children, another thing to consider is their safety. Adequate lighting around the bar, slip-resistant surfaces, and handrails are all highly recommended to keep everyone happy and safe. Adding a swim-up bar will mean changing what your children are comfortable with, so allowing them plenty of time and assistance adjusting will be crucial.

To summarize this point, you certainly can add a swim-up bar to your pool. Just make sure you're thinking about it from every angle.

A swim-up bar isn't just for those who drink alcohol. It can be for the entire family! Everyone can enjoy a beautiful space where food and drink can be served easily. They make hosting parties a real joy, and we can guarantee your guests will talk about it for a while.

The process may seem out of your range of abilities, but when you have a helping hand, it all becomes very simple. At DIY Pools and Spas, we're here to help you take charge of your vision by providing you with expert knowledge, stacks of resources, and all the assistance you want. Doing things this way not only saves a lot of money but also puts you in a position to direct every step and bring your dream to life. You no longer have to go with some random pool company's pre-prepared package. You can make everything unique to you.